By Richard Gardner, Torch specialist

"Raw from Sheffield was an interesting show. I honestly expected more hype for Survivor Series but what I heard was not offensive or overkill and seemed to work. I kept waiting on some issues to pop up between Cena, Triple H, and HBK as they prepare for their Triple Threat Match for the WWE Title at Survivor Series. By it not happening, it leads me to believe that something could be up someone's sleeve come this Monday from Madison Square Garden. Or not. The question is, when will the proverbial shoe drop? Or will it?"
-- Jim Ross' blog, Tuesday 10th of November www.jrsbarbq.com/

Ricky Hatton's performance on Monday night was telling. As the guest host stumbled through his lines, it was hard to believe that this was the same man who is normally so comfortable in front of an audience that he did a stand up comedy tour last year. It was another example of a talented performer being saddled with subpar material.

Yet heading towards the Survivor Series, the use of talent higher up the card is of a greater concern. The main event stars run roughshod over any mid-carder who dares to step in the ring with them, often belittling them on the microphone for good measure. Yet while the main event wrestlers rarely put over anyone from the mid-card, they hardly do themselves any favors by participating in goofy comedy skits. In the last few months, we've had Shawn Michaels working as a chef in an office canteen, Chris Jericho arguing with ZZ Top, idiocy with D-Generation X, and Vince McMahon and a cirque du soleil act.

WWE's style of comedy does not have a place in the build-up for the main event of one of the WWE's biggest events of the year. The angle for the John Cena-Shawn Michaels-Triple H Survivor Series match somehow encompassed the Robert DeNiro of bad wrestling comedy: Hornswoggle.

Somehow the build for a title match between the three biggest names on the Raw roster has centered around D-Generation X being angry with Hornswoggle for wearing their merchandise and copying their mannerisms. This has resulted in terrible comedy segments that have no business being in the main event. With only one episode of Raw left before the Survivor Series, the build for the WWE Title match is in tatters.

For all the amusing insider references that D-Generation X made on commentary during Cena's match with The Big Show and Chris Jericho last week, it did nothing to build the triple threat match. Cena on commentary this Monday was bland, and resorted to putting over Michaels and Triple H instead of attempting to further their rivalry.

Jim Ross is right to express concerns about the Raw triple threat match. There is no issue between the three of them; just a lot of corny acting and bad jokes. If John Cena, Shawn Michaels, and Triple H's characters refuse to take the build for their match seriously, why should anyone at home care enough to fork out the money to see their match?

WWE announced this month that Pay-Per-View prices are going to increase to $44.95, which is a brave move when buyrates have been dropping against the backdrop of a global recession. The justification for this increase should be a commitment to presenting must-see matches, and a build to encourage viewers to part with their money. Unfortunately, the build for the Raw triple threat match at the Survivor Series has missed the mark and it's not a good sign for next year.

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